recognizance

[ ri-kog-nuh-zuh ns, -kon-uh- ]

/ rɪˈkɒg nə zəns, -ˈkɒn ə- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR recognizance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Law.

a bond or obligation of record entered into before a court of record or a magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act.
the sum pledged as surety on such a bond.

Archaic. recognition.

Archaic. a token; badge.

Nearby words

recluse, reclusion, reco-reco, recognition, recognition factor, recognizance, recognize, recognizee, recognizor, recoil, recoil escapement

Origin of recognizance

1350–1400; Middle English reconissaunce, recognisance < Old French reconuissance. See recognize, -ance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for recognizance

He was released within the hour without a bond on his own recognizance.
What Would Happen if I Got in White Cop’s Face?|Goldie Taylor|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Williams was released on his own recognizance over the weekend and is expected back before a judge on Feb. 9, 2015.
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault|M.L. Nestel|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Addison spent four nights in jail, she told me on FaceTime during a period when she was out on her own recognizance.
Let’s Free Stacey Addison, The Oregon Woman Jailed at the Ends of the Earth|Christopher Dickey|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Luchkiw was released on her own recognizance, as would have normally been the case in such a bust.
A Sax Player, Then a Suspect After Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Final Act|Michael Daly|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She was released on her recognizance and is now back on the streets.
Amanda Bynes Wigs Out|Kevin Fallon|May 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I believe the man has entered into some sort of recognizance to keep the peace, and has disappeared.
The Man Between|Amelia E. Barr
Perhaps Mr. Hooker will accept my recognizance in the amount?
Thomas Wingfold, Curate|George MacDonald
Some pay and many refuse; but such as do refuse he requires to enter into a recognizance of so much money to attend the council.
The Chronicles of Newgate, vol. 1/2|Arthur Griffiths
William Wells, one years imprisonment, and at its expiration to enter into his own recognizance of 20l.
The Chronicles of Crime or The New Newgate Calendar. v. 2/2|Camden Pelham
And I will enter into a recognizance for any sum to appear and prove my right if it should be disputed.
Hidden Hand|Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth

British Dictionary definitions for recognizance

recognizance

recognisance

/ (rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns) /

noun

law

a bond entered into before a court or magistrate by which a person binds himself to do a specified act, as to appear in court on a stated day, keep the peace, or pay a debt
a monetary sum pledged to the performance of such an act

an obsolete word for recognition

Derived Forms

recognizant or recognisant, adjective

Word Origin for recognizance

C14: from Old French reconoissance, from reconoistre to recognize

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012